Rum, lime and mint, a Mojito is one of my favorite summertime refreshing cocktails. Normally topped with sparkling, fizzy club soda, Champagne becomes the next best substitute! I’d not recommend Dom Perignon, but a nice priced Champagne, Prosecco or sparkling wine would do just fine.

May you all have good health, happines, love and joy in the New Year! Cheers!

Champagne Mojitos

Makes a pitcher enough to serve 12

For the simple sugar:*

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup water

(* or use ½ cup agave syrup)

For the champagne cocktail:

1 ½ cups packed mint leaves, plus additional for garnish

6 limes, cut into wedges

2 cups light rum (or a flavored rum such as mango)

Cracked ice

3 cups Champagne or sparkling wine

To make the simple sugar: in a small saucepan, combine the sugar and water and cook over high heat until the sugar has dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.

To make the Champagne cocktail: In a large pitcher combine the simple sugar or agave with the mint leaves and lime wedges, muddle well with a wooden spoon. Add the rum and stir well. Strain the drink into another pitcher. The pitcher can be made ahead to this point and refrigerated overnight. When ready to serve, fill tall champagne classes with cracked ice and pour in the drink, filling about 2/3 full. Top with champagne, garnish with mint springs and serve.

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I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.

Pretty presentation! I like how you added fresh mint!
We are staying home with the kids, most likely making a nice dinner and some fun dessert for the kids. If I can get my sister and brother-in-law over w/ their kids, I’m hoping we can have a wii bowling night! Have a w onderful new year!

Love this combination! Mojitas are my favorite drink, no matter what the season and the Champagne version is an ingenious way to make it extra festive for New Year’s Eve. This New Year’s Eve I will unfortunately be taking care of my Hubby who has torn a adductor muscle on Christmas. We are awaiting surgery to fix it. Maybe I will make us both this drink so we can still toast in some new, wonderful days ahead!

What a great photo of, what sounds like, a great cocktail! I’ll be going to a friend’s annual NYE dinner party. It’s a leisurely affair, timed so that dessert is served at mid-night. It’s a great way to start the year. I hope 2012 is a great year for you, Lynda, your family, and friends. Happy New Year!

We´ll be having a romantic dinner at home and eating our 12 grapes on the 12 bongs, but I think we´ll have to make a jug of these too…either that or turn up at yours! PS. Love the photo and as for those gorgeous tiles…..

Love the lyrics! Someone is clearly already in the mood for a festive New Year celebration. This is the first recipe for a cocktail I encounter as I “leaf through” Blog articles for an afternoon of inspiration… and Granny does not even drink, but this sounds like the perfect accompaniment for a New Year toast. Wishing you a magical evening and an equally magical New Year!

Ahh, New Year’s Eve…
We’ll be home, with a small bottle of champagne, a bit of caviar – yes, really. It’s only once a year! – and some good cheese and crostini…After we get Angel Face into bed, that is!
Happy New Year, Linda!

I love Champagne and I also like Mojitos. This sounds like a great combination. Love your poem by the way. I couldn’t get mine to print in the middle of the page no matter what I tried. WordPress kept doing strange things…oh well. We will be staying home…crab cakes, lobster pot pie, and cannoli. Have a wonderful New Year!